Annabeth POV

"The spark is gone… as much as I care for him in these times of peace I spend less time with him and more and with someone else... I think I'm in love with Clayton." The moment those words left my mouth, I realized how true they were. Clayton was the best, he respected me, he understood me, he challenged me, he didn't put me on a pedestal or made me feel the need to be perfect. I could tell that Clarisse was shocked at what I said and frankly so was I.

"Everything Percy ever did... all of his accomplishments were because of you Annabeth…" I looked down at the ground because it felt like I was betraying him, it filled me with great shame, but I wanted to be happy too. Clarisse was right, but there was nothing I could do about it. I was going to have to break up with Percy. As much as it pained me to do so yet I didn't want to lose him from my life completely...

"How are you going to do it?" Clarisse asked with a hint of anger in her voice. I could tell, Clarisse was not too happy with my decision. How was I going to break it to Percy? Percy's heart would shatter if I just told him I did not love him anymore.

"I don't know" I admitted. The only way that we could end our relationship is if we both agree that we need time off. However, I didn't want to manipulate him into doing so. Percy deserves the truth, but the truth will break him. It came down to two options, I say the truth and gain freedom by destroying his dreams with me or lie, trick him into a hiatus and end it casually. Percy would be none the wiser, but I would always carry around that guilt. What would Clayton think of me? Would he even want me after I do either to Percy? Is our love not meant to be?

"Just put yourself in his shoes Annabeth, if you were in his shoes what you want? That's all I have for you Annie, see you at the pavilion." I caught a glimpse of Clarisse waving me off. What would I want? Percy to tell me that he stopped loving me and fell in love with someone else or him to lie and trick me into breaking up. Of course, the truth, even if it breaks him. He deserves the truth… it's only fair. Right?

Percy POV

To shed a tear for girl that no longer loved me, how pathetic was I.

"You're not pathetic Percy" I quickly turned around to see an eight-year-old girl, no she was a goddess. My favorite Olympian was sitting in a chair next to my bed. I stood up to bow as fast as possible only to be stopped.

"Percy, please, you know I don't like that." I nodded but bowed my head a little anyways only to hear a soft sigh and to notice a warm smile from Lady Hestia.

"Lady Hestia, why are you here, if it is okay to ask?" I already knew she was here because of Annabeth. She knew what I was thinking about when I called myself pathetic.

"Please Percy, call me Hestia. You returned me my throne, I don't use it very much but I'm still grateful," she said with another warm smile. I could not help but to smile back, despite what I had gone through yesterday. After a few seconds she continued.

"Aphrodite knows of what happened to you Percy, she told the council as a meeting just happened to have been going on at the same time." Figured, Aphrodite telling the whole world about my love life. Hestia seemed to have heard me because she furrowed her forehead slightly.

"We were worried about you, we did not want you doing anything reckless. Zeus basically forced the information out of her by the way. Don't get angry at her." When Hestia asks you something you can't help but to comply. She is Hestia, She is family, She is the warm fire that heals instead of harms. The perfect woman, sworn to be an eternal maiden because no man will ever be worthy of her. Apparently, she heard me as well because she gave me another warm smile.

"I don't know what to do Hestia. I love Annabeth more than anything, but she doesn't. It is slowly burning my soul. It burns right here..." I said softly while gently placing my right hand on my chest. My eyes did not fail to make themselves watery again, but I wouldn't cry. At least not for a woman that no longer loved me. "She was my love, my strength, my everything, my whole life was based around her, my whole future was shaped on hers and now I can't help but to feel empty."

The sadness was evident in her eyes. She stood up and sat next to me on my bed, gently placed her right hand on my shoulder and said, "Percy, you are the most selfless man I know, you'd give up your life for campers you never met, but you are not alone. You have your family, you have your friends, you have me. Don't give up on life Percy, your future will get better. You deserve a happy life after all your hardships and so does Annabeth." Hestia was right, the way Annabeth spoke to Clarisse showed she was struggling just as much as I was. She wanted to love me as much as I wanted her to love me, but it could not be, not anymore. Clayton won her heart and if she was happy with him, if she truly loved him she deserves to be happy, we both do.

No POV

Percy walked up to the Athena cabin where Annabeth was usually in the morning. He knocked on the door, and when a 13 year old girl answered he asked for Annabeth, the girl nodded and closed the door. Five minutes later Annabeth came out, she was nervous. Percy never comes to talk to me this early in the morning...

Percy was nervous as well. He had practiced his speech in the mirror a few times this morning with Hestia, but he had never felt so unprepared for anything in his entire life. I want us both to be happy, this is for the best, she needs to know that I know. She also needs to know about Clayton. Percy tried to convince himself.

"What's going on Percy?" Annabeth said softly, she was planning on telling him today about Clayton and hopefully Percy would understand.

"I need to tell you something important Annabeth," Percy said almost in a whisper. Annabeth was confused...Why is Percy acting like this? Did he fall in love with someone else? That would certainly make this easier, thought Annabeth. Building up her courage, she spoke first.

"Percy, I started developing feelings for someo-" Annabeth suddenly felt Percy's index finger on her lips. Why did Percy stop me? Did he not want to listen to me? Was he angry? In denial? Maybe he does not want to know at all.

"I know Annabeth." croaked Percy. Annabeth froze. He knew, Oh gods, how did he know? Of course, Clariss-

"Clarisse did not tell me anything, I was there," Annabeth gasped. Did he read my mind? "On top of the trees, in the middle of the forest… you said the spark was gone... that you fell for Clayton…" Annabeth did not know how to feel, Percy was there, he heard everything. She probably broke his heart. She could see the sadness in his eyes and could not help but to feel guilty.

"It's fine Annabeth, don't feel too guilty about it. It happens," he said. She knew she broke his heart yet here he was trying comfort her, telling her to not feel guilty. She's didn't even know if Clayton liked her back but here she is, ready to break up with Percy.

"Clayton feels the same way about you Annabeth," her face immediately lit up, but instantly regretted it as she saw Percy's gaze drop. It's true, it really is… Percy reasoned, she really did love someone else.

"You deserve to be happy Annabeth, we both do. And sometimes to love means to let go." His voice faltered at the end as he barely believed what he said himself. Both of their eyes got watery, but he wouldn't cry. Percy stepped forward, just a few inches from Annabeth. He leaned closer and hugged her gently. He placed his right hand on her back, held her closely and whispered in her ear, "I loved you with all my heart all the time that you loved me. I just wanted you to know that." Percy pecked her left cheek softly, turned away and started walking. He turned back and looked at the still frozen Annabeth. "Good bye, Annabeth," He said and walked away.